Welcome to the December Support and Rant Thread 2014

[anuspras 65]

Thank you sweet heart, it's why I always say we need a lot of prayers, after all we have gone through we still have this looming over our heads which makes it impossible for me to sleep at night. Thank you for understanding and your kind words.

I clicked on it but it took me to a page on VJ, maybe if you could try again and if that doesn't work copy and paste? Thank you for the information so curious what it says.

Sorry my mistake. Here is the correct link.

http://hammondlawgroup.com/healthcareblog/2014/11/14/national-visa-center-offers-insight-recent-delays-case-processing/

[mofatsd 127]

No worries! I appreciate the honesty - I would hate to be blindsided by something that I had no clue they were going to factor into our approvals. Just got to have faith and pray that everything goes smoothly and when it doesn't, you have folks here to lift your spirits!

I don't want to scare anyone but this is what I found for some reasons to be put in AP specially us lucky ones that fell in love and married people from certain countries shown below.

What is a Security Advisory Opinion?

Security Advisory Opinions (SAOs) are created in response to a request by a U.S. consulate for a background security check on a foreign national who is applying for a U.S. visa. There are several different types of SAOs as explained below.

When a foreign national applies for a nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, the applicant’s name is run through a name-check system referred to as the Consular Lookout and Support System (CLASS). Any existing problems in an applicant’s background that are known to the U.S. government cause the applicant’s name to be flagged for the consulate’s attention.

What Factors Trigger an SAO?

A U.S. consulate has the discretion to request an SAO regardless of whether or not the applicant’s name was flagged in CLASS. However, U.S. consulates request SAOs in the following circumstances:

the applicant's name is flagged in CLASS;

an applicant received an unfavorable SAO in the past;

the applicant is a national of a country not recognized by the United States or with which the United States does not maintain diplomatic relations;

the U.S. interviewing U.S. consular officer has knowledge or a reasonable ground to believe that the applicant is ineligible for admission to the United States because of national security concerns (for example, the consular officer believes that the applicant might be involved in the transfer of sensitive technology designated by the Department of State (DOS)’s Technology Alert List (TAL))1;

the applicant is a national or employee of a State Sponsor of Terrorism.2

In addition to the above triggers, applicants who are citizens of, born in, or have some strong connection to one of the following countries (often referred to as “the list of 26”) are also subject to an SAO:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Dijbouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.3

Types of SAOs and Related Visa Processing Delays

There are nine types of SAOs. Most relevant to non-immigrant visa applicants are the Visas Mantis, Visas Donkey, Visas Eagle, and Visas Condor.

Visas Mantis

A Visas Mantis is requested if the U.S. consulate suspects that the applicant is engaged in the illegal transfer of sensitive technologies or information that relates to sensitive technologies, or if the applicant is likely to have exposure to such technologies while in the U.S. A specific nationality is not required to trigger this SAO. Sensitive technologies are listed on the DOS Technology Alert List. Applicants with advanced degrees (usually Ph.D. degrees) in certain sciences tend to be targeted for these types of SAOs. The Visas Mantis typically takes two to three weeks to clear. Once issued, a Visas Mantis SAO is valid for 12 months if the applicant is returning to the same organization for which the applicant worked/studied when the SAO was initially requested.

Visas Donkey

A Visas Donkey is requested when there is a direct "hit" on the visa applicant's name in the CLASS system. This type of SAO is requested if, for example, the applicant's name is a direct match to that of a known terrorist. It is impossible to know whether or not an applicant will be subject to this particular SAO unless the person has been subjected to one previously. The Visas Donkey SAO request can take months to process, and there tends to be no predictable period within which this kind of SAO request is resolved. . Once a Visas Donkey SAO is issued, it is valid for three months.

Visas Condor

The Visas Condor is generally requested for applicants who are nationals of predominantly Muslim countries. This list has been referred to as the "list of 26" because there are 26 countries for which a Condor SAO is usually requested (see above). These SAOs are valid for three months and generally take about a week or two to clear.

Visas Eagle

The Visas Eagle is requested for applicants from countries that have been designated as state sponsors of terrorism. This SAO is in the same tier of review as the Visas Condor SAO so many Eagle SAOs taken one to two weeks to be resolved. Once issued, the Visas Eagle is valid for 12 months.

Repeat SAOs and Caveat About SAO Validity

Internal DOS guidelines provide that SAOs can be reused for another visa, as long as the visa is applied for within the validity period of the SAO and as long as certain conditions are met (essentially no major changes from the former application and/or no additional flags on the name). On the other hand, recent guidance from a government official indicated that when applying for a different visa or a new visa, a new SAO will be requested by the U.S. consulate. The bottom line is that the U.S. consular officer has discretion to request an SAO for anyone and is obligated to make such a request in the above listed circumstances.

1 While several secondary sources have published the Technology Alert List, its accuracy is not ascertainable given its classified status. The U.S. State Department’s Foreign Affairs Manual states that "[t]he TAL is generated by the Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation . . . and is distributed to [u.S. consulates] by cable and published as 9 FAM Appendix A, 700 on the [Consular Affairs] classified intranet website."

2 Cuba, Iran, Sudan and Syria are currently on the DOS State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

3 This list is derived from a secondary source. The Foreign Affairs Manual declares this information to be classified.

WHoa. That's crazy information. I really hope it's the full name and not just the first name as I would guarantee that they'd have a lot of AP's put in place (it is the most popular name in the world!). You would think these guys would have it down to a science after getting their security measures in place for so long. They should be able to decipher the ones who actually belong to this group and who doesn't. But I guess I'm not in their line of work and after this long piece of information I realize that I have no clue what goes on on the backside of this!! Makes a gals head spin!

Thanks dear for posting - I always like a daily dosage of good morning information.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Sorry my mistake. Here is the correct link.

http://hammondlawgroup.com/healthcareblog/2014/11/14/national-visa-center-offers-insight-recent-delays-case-processing/

Thank you doll, very interesting but I don't believe they are hiring new people call me jaded and paranoid but don't believe those cheap skated care enough to lose money on new hires.

No worries! I appreciate the honesty - I would hate to be blindsided by something that I had no clue they were going to factor into our approvals. Just got to have faith and pray that everything goes smoothly and when it doesn't, you have folks here to lift your spirits!

WHoa. That's crazy information. I really hope it's the full name and not just the first name as I would guarantee that they'd have a lot of AP's put in place (it is the most popular name in the world!). You would think these guys would have it down to a science after getting their security measures in place for so long. They should be able to decipher the ones who actually belong to this group and who doesn't. But I guess I'm not in their line of work and after this long piece of information I realize that I have no clue what goes on on the backside of this!! Makes a gals head spin!

Thanks dear for posting - I always like a daily dosage of good morning information.

Your welcome sorry it wasn't happy news but better to be prepared I guess. I think they know very well who is who before our loved ones ever get to the interview. I know I sound paranoid but I can't help it.

[Maharosa 251]

Tell me about it, had to pick my heart up off the ground.

I am felling the same way. I was so exhausted when I read this yesterday I didn't have the energy to say more. Yesterday my grandfather was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder so now, on top of dealing with recovery from the stroke, we are dealing with suppressing his immune response, while at the same time trying to promote healing. I cannot even count the number of wounds and blisters I had to dress yesterday. Sorry, tmi, I know...

Anyway, I cannot express how sad and angry this makes me. I am an Egyptian American, born in raised in the United States, but most of my family still lives in Egypt. It makes me so angry to think of the difficulties all Muslims face, and it hurts me personally to know that Egyptians are being scrutinized because Egypt is a predominately Muslim Country. I look at my family, my husbands family, and all of our family friends, they are the sweetest most generous people I have ever met. This is really not fair.

[Norwegian 12]

Called again today.

Previously, as in 27th of November and until now, I have been told that my case has NOT been reviewed.

Today, a rep tells me that my care was reviewed on the 25th and it's now sitting with a supervisor and it can take up to 42 days until I hear anything.

How the ** is this possible????????

I waited 60 days, given the runaround. Not one update.

And now on day 64 I am being told I gotta wait an additional 42 days. For what??

I am so frustrated and just at a loss. I think I will just use my tourist visa and wait this out with my husband. I can't take it.

[BRosa 170]

They are such liars NVC!!!! I so strongly dislike them. Last week I called and was to by the rep. That my case has been reviewed and that they found mistakes in the AOS and to wait in the mail for I structions to make corrections. Since I have not gotten anything yet I called again today. today I was told NOTHING has been done, wait for the 6o days.!!! I am at day 56. ????

The only good thing is I still have hope of CC and not checklist.

[MoBar65 520]

My interview was today it took forever or so it seemed sitting bored and nervous total time of 2 and a half hours .

The officer was a nice lady asked me simple questions like where my spouse and I met and when we got married etc. I took five minutes or less . Then she congratulated me and that's it

Hey... this is wonderful... Congrats!

Did your status change to issued already?

Hi everyone

Sitting at Sydney airport waiting for flight back home so thought I would post with the past 24 hours news.

After receiving email from Consulate last Wednesday saying they had rescheduled interview but giving me my current date of 23rd December I didn't hear back from the until 8.30 am on Monday, yesterday. Guess when the interview was. 10.45 am today. I flew into action. Didn't go to work, booked flights, hotels, babysitters and ran to Post Office to get my 3kgs Express envelope. Two hours later I was at the airport.

Hotel in Sydney CBD upgraded me to a penthouse apartment and after a sleepless night I was at the Consulate by 10.15 am.

Didn't really have to e to get nervous. It all went so quickly. End result

APPROVED!!!!!

On my way home now to my children.

Will catch up on everybody's posts tomorrow.

Love

Xxxxx

Again.... Really thrilled to hear of your quick, though frantic, conclusion.

[Norwegian 12]

They are such liars NVC!!!! I so strongly dislike them. Last week I called and was to by the rep. That my case has been reviewed and that they found mistakes in the AOS and to wait in the mail for I structions to make corrections. Since I have not gotten anything yet I called again today. today I was told NOTHING has been done, wait for the 6o days.!!! I am at day 56. ????

The only good thing is I still have hope of CC and not checklist.

Lied to me too. Just tell me you're back logged and don't insult my intelligence.

[Soloenta 2,218]

I am felling the same way. I was so exhausted when I read this yesterday I didn't have the energy to say more. Yesterday my grandfather was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder so now, on top of dealing with recovery from the stroke, we are dealing with suppressing his immune response, while at the same time trying to promote healing. I cannot even count the number of wounds and blisters I had to dress yesterday. Sorry, tmi, I know...

Anyway, I cannot express how sad and angry this makes me. I am an Egyptian American, born in raised in the United States, but most of my family still lives in Egypt. It makes me so angry to think of the difficulties all Muslims face, and it hurts me personally to know that Egyptians are being scrutinized because Egypt is a predominately Muslim Country. I look at my family, my husbands family, and all of our family friends, they are the sweetest most generous people I have ever met. This is really not fair.

I'm so very sorry about your grandfather, it just never seems to end does it. Every step forward some of us take three steps back, God willing nothing more will go wrong. I know the feeling of being so tired you can't even think or reason and when I for one lay down sometimes I can't even close my eyes.

I'm wondering if putting your grandfather on a memory foam thick pad would avoid or minimize the wounds? Would relieve the pressure I'm sure.

Oh I know about Egyptian's well live there for almost 2 wonderful years, I'm Catholic and they were always so kind to me never a bad look or angry word. The media is to blame for all the suspicion and I'll say it racist views of Muslims. I was in Egypt when during a lot of the turmoil and it was nothing like the media said it was, they over blew everything possible. They once said the Muslims were killing Christians and it was a feud between two families nothing to do with the general public.

My husband for one is an angel, you would have to ask him if he's upset because you wouldn't be able to tell hahahahaa he's so precious. God willing all this will change one day when people learn the truth.

Called again today.

Previously, as in 27th of November and until now, I have been told that my case has NOT been reviewed.

Today, a rep tells me that my care was reviewed on the 25th and it's now sitting with a supervisor and it can take up to 42 days until I hear anything.

How the ** is this possible????????

I waited 60 days, given the runaround. Not one update.

And now on day 64 I am being told I gotta wait an additional 42 days. For what??

I am so frustrated and just at a loss. I think I will just use my tourist visa and wait this out with my husband. I can't take it.

You need to speak to that supervisor and tell them it's unacceptable if you talk to the rep you wont get anywhere. I'll be praying on my side.

They are such liars NVC!!!! I so strongly dislike them. Last week I called and was to by the rep. That my case has been reviewed and that they found mistakes in the AOS and to wait in the mail for I structions to make corrections. Since I have not gotten anything yet I called again today. today I was told NOTHING has been done, wait for the 6o days.!!! I am at day 56. ????

The only good thing is I still have hope of CC and not checklist.

What a nightmare, same thing happened to me they said my AOS was accepted, called after a week I think was told CC, called bay that Monday to verify and sorry your files haven't even been looked at then a checklist and I have the hard copy and everything but my parents marriage certificate was a lie. I had no idea about the marriage cert. Geez will be praying you get your CC with no checklist.

Thanks for the info....it IS definately BS...there should be a faster way to do a security check seriously!!! And btw....funny how these 26 countries are brown....I don't see any bs "security" checks on any white countries.... just sayin'.... NO MORE RACISM!!! ​

You got that right and the terrorists are a tiny group that make a lot of noise. Not saying they shouldn't check I'm grateful they do but don't come and tell me it takes that long for Pete's sake they have so many great sources to find out anything they want. It's all BS but they can get away with murder. Your very welcome.

[Soloenta 2,218]

Lied to me too. Just tell me you're back logged and don't insult my intelligenc

Well and succinctly put! I'm so tired of the BS!

[curiousgeorgina 52]

so today (4 am my time) I called up NVC hoping that I'd maybe hear them say they have our case with them but just have to wait for the number... but.......... the lady said that the case will arrive in 5 WEEKS. .... FIVE WEEKS?

is this normal?

[hope88 104]

Hey... this is wonderful... Congrats!

Did your status change to issued already?

Again.... Really thrilled to hear of your quick, though frantic, conclusion.

Thanks a lot . Nope it still says administrative processing

[BRosa 170]

NVC emailed me today. ?

I GOT A CHECKLIST!!!! ????

???????????

Why oh why????

[altito 63]

Ok guys, I want to let you know my experience about my POE (JFK) last Saturday. Everything went so smoothly.

Once I arrived to JFK, I proceeded to a first immigrants room where I waited for the officer to finish a 4 members family paperwork.

When it was my turn (after ten minutes waiting), it went really fast.

The officer did the paperwork only in 10 minutes. He took my fingerprints, picture and signature for the GC very quickly and stamped my passport without asking anything regarding either the money I carried or if I was bringing any food...

The easiest experience ever!!

I still had plenty of time to catch my connection flight to SFO.

[BRosa 170]

Ok guys, I want to let you know my experience about my POE (JFK) last Saturday. Everything went so smoothly.

Once I arrived to JFK, I proceeded to a first immigrants room where I waited for the officer to finish a 4 members family paperwork.

When it was my turn (after ten minutes waiting), it went really fast.

The officer did the paperwork only in 10 minutes. He took my fingerprints, picture and signature for the GC very quickly and stamped my passport without asking anything regarding either the money I carried or if I was bringing any food...

The easiest experience ever!!

I still had plenty of time to catch my connection flight to SFO.

Congratulations...you have accomplish what we all dream of. ???

So happy you have your loved one in USA. I have a question regarding your expedite. You were able to expedite at NVC stage and how did u submit? I thought it could not be done when file was nvc. ????

Edited December 3, 2014 by BRosa